to balance a checkbook
begin by writing your income in black ink on the top line
subtract your rent
subtract your light bill
subtract the blood draw from Verizon
weigh the price of gas against how much it will take to get to work
take a sick day
and fill up the tank
consider the frayed edges of your too-small jacket
throw it on the scale with a new shirt or two
add milk and chicken and a loaf of bread
see what must give for the load not to break
string a tightrope between this payday and the next
grip your sanity with both hands and steady across
smile slight when ignoring your friends’ invitations
pretend that you like the small of home
ignore the self-loathing in the pit of your stomach
rob peter
pay paul
promise patrick that his is on the way
stop answering the phone around the 13th
recite the verse about small beginnings
remember you have travelled this rope before
take a deep breath
hold on
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